Sphere No.46 (Mar 2019)

Beon’s solar power lights up lives >> Sphere #46 2019 20 Local partnership Other refugees are coming to the project through the Sunraysia Mallee Ethnic Communities Council (SMECC), an organisation that helps refugees, mostly Afghanis and Burundians, adapt to Australia – including finding work. It isn’t the only organisation Beon works with. The Mildura Regional City Council’s Employment Program collaborates with the Victorian State Government’s Jobs Victoria Employment Network programme to identify suitable candidates that face long- term barriers to employment. It not only flags them for hiring, but provides ongoing support after they start working. Another partnership is with the Victorian State Department of Justice and Regulation. They have helped to match former prisoners on ‘correction orders’ with work opportunities at the Karadoc Solar Farm. Denis Pana, manager of Beon’s mechanical installation crew, says “We here at Beon are all for giving people a second chance. We have all made mistakes in life but out here on the farm, everyone is treated equally and treated the same. It’s been great to see these guys ... turn their lives around.” One example is Trevor (name changed). After his wife died of breast cancer, leaving him to care for his seven-year-old son, Trevor succumbed to deep depression. Poor life decisions saw him end up going to jail for 18 months, losing his son. Two years after his release he was still unemployed, burdened by his criminal record. But after joining Beon, Trevor proved his worth and got his life back on track. Steady employment meant a steady income – and reconciliation with his son. He explains, “Being given a second chance by people who have shown confidence in me has done wonders ... I only have to worry about the most important thing in my life right now. My son.” Sunny times through SuniTAFE Beon knew that working with the Department of Justice and SMECC, and bringing some people from Hughenden was good and necessary – but was not enough. It also wanted a way to make a longer-term contribution to the local community by training young people to work not just on the Karadoc Solar Farm, but also by giving them the skills to continue working in the burgeoning solar industry. They approached the local technical college, Sunraysia Institute of Technical and Further Education (SuniTAFE), to create a new course. The six-month Solar Industry Career Pathway programme would see participants not only learn and receive an income, but also receive their Certificate II in Electrotechnology (Career Start). The programme included four weeks paid off-site training at Mildura SuniTAFE. Australian recruitment agency Chandler Macleod managed the onsite hiring, including students from the SuniTAFE programme. Glen Thomson, Managing Director of Beon, identified the novelty of the programme, saying “We believe this programme is a first for the region, and possibly the state, and is definitely a win for everybody – SuniTAFE, the industry and, most importantly, the trainees.” In addition to the trainee programme, Beon, in partnership with SuniTAFE and Southern Mallee Group Training, also developed an electrical apprenticeship programme. This resulted in 25 young people from the Mildura region taking up an electrical apprenticeship which has set them on the pathway to becoming qualified electricians, simultaneously addressing a serious skill shortage in the region. Six of these apprentices are Aboriginal, including one Aboriginal woman. The benefits of this programme will flow into the local community well beyond the life of the project. “Engage early!” Glen Thomson, Managing Director, Beon Recruits from refugee communities, like Murtaza (below), have an opportunity to upgrade their skills and their lives while building bridges between local Australians and newer arrivals.